Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Scholastic Press, 1997, 308 pp., $19.95
J.K. Rowling 0-590-35340-3
Could you imagine finding out that you had wizard powers passed down from your murdered parents at age eleven? This is exactly what happened to Harry Potter. After being rescued from his vindictive and jealous “muggle” aunt and uncle, he is introduced to a secret, magical world. Now Harry will be attending Hogwarts, a secret wizard school. At Hogwarts Harry meets new friends, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Together they have fun adventures, and find out dark secrets he must protect. During the school year they find out about the sorcerers stone. This stone can make you live forever, and it can turn any metal into gold. Voldemort the wizard that killed Harry’s parents is trying to steal it from Hogwarts. Harry and his friends must stop him or else he will destroy every good thing in the wizard world.
The description by J.K. Rowling is exhilarating and really makes you feel like I was there, by creating good images. She also creates good dialect. I recommend this book to all ages, and if you like this book you should read the whole series.
Mason
Harry potter and the Deathly Hollows
J.K. Rowling
Arthur A. Levine books, 2007, pp759, $29.99,
ISBN # -978-0-545-01022-1
Harry, Ron, and Hermione planned to skip their seventh and final year at Hogwarts. They’re skipping this year to destroy the seven horcruxes created by Voldemort to give him an extra life supply, so that he can kill Harry without being destroyed again. If he succeeds he will be able to regain power. If Harry can destroy the Horcruxes he will have a much better chance at defeating Voldemort.
As if Voldemort wasn’t enough trouble already, Harry is in a race against time to find the Deathly Hollows. There is a legend that says if you posses all three of the hollows you will be the best wizard in the world. The hollows include the Elder Wand (the most powerful wand ever made), the resurection stone a stone that brings people back to life, and an invisibility cloak (that Harry finds out he already posses). Harry hopes to find all the Hallows before Voldemort figures out their great powers.
This entire story is a cat and mouse game between Harry and Voldemort. Harry is sometimes close to being caught but never really does get caught.
A really awesome thing J.K. Rowling does in this book is how the description makes you feel like your really there. I definitely recommend this book because of the heart stopping suspense.
- Mason
Inkheart Isbn 0-439-53164-0
By Cornelia Funke Published by scholastic
Inkheart is an awesome exciting story of a girl named meggie and her father who have a special ability. When ever these two read the story comes to life. One day meggie’s father reads to his family. As he is reading his wife and two cats disappear. He figures out that he sent his wife and cats into the book. And brought the evil characters out. Him and is daughter go on adventure to try and free the mom and cats. When they run into the evil characters that came out of the book. He wants to destroy the books so he can’t be put back in the book. Cornelia Funke uses such good descriptive writing. She puts detail into every thing in the book. I feel as if I’m standing right next to the characters going through what there going through seeing what they see. This book is amazing and I would rate it a Chuck Norris and recommend it to anyone who likes action fantasy.
By Saber
The Golden Compass
Phillip Pullman
Random House Inc., 1995, 399p.
$15.99, ISBN 0-679-87924-2
Lyra Balacqua and her daemon Pantalaiman have lived at Oxford College all their life. It is a great place for adventure. But when the gobblers arrive and kidnap her friend, Roger, she is determined to find him. In her quest to find him, she is kidnapped herself. When she arrives at Bolvangar, the place where they hold the children, she fears for her life that they don’t pick her for an experiment.
The Golden Compass is powerful and beautiful fantasy novel. Pullman’s intense description draws the reader into the story of Lyra and Pan. It is full of horror and heart stopping adventure. This book will leave you wanting to read the sequel.
Erica
Charlie Bone and the Hidden King
By Jenny Nimmo
Orchard books, 2006, pp.441
$9.95, ISBN 0-439-54530-7
Reviewed by Mark
Charlie Bone is back in Bloors Academy in his fourth year. While he was in the king’s room he noticed that the kings shadow has disappeared in his portrait. Charlie and his friends find out that the shadow is an enchanter strange things start to happen: his mom starts dating again, his grandma is frozen solid in the bathtub, and the memory of his father starts drifting away. When everything was going down the toilet his uncle, Paton, went to seek out the Red King to restore order.
But will Charlie’s family and his friends be able to stop the enchanter from destroying the town? Will Charlie forget the memory of his father forever? This book is a fictional adventure. You won’t be able to stop reading until you flipped the last page.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a fictional magic thriller. I read this book because once I read the first book I had to keep reading the series. This book has 441 pages but it’s not dense. Every page is double spaced so that you can read the book as fast as possible.
The City of Ember
By Jeanne Duprau
Random House Children Books,
pg. 270 15.95$
ISBN: 0-375-82273-9
Reviewed by: Trey
Lina wants to have the job of a messenger, but she ends up as a pipe-work laborer. Doon draws messenger, but he wanted something that helps the city. They end up trading cards. Lina finds a sheet of paper that her little sister was chewing up. She tries to decipher it piece by piece to see if it ends up in the “outside world.” She finally deciphers it and gets Doon to sneak her inside this pipe works, to find the outside world.
I recommend this book to middle school students who like fantasy
Revenge of the Shadow King Orchard books, 2006, 10.99$,
Derek Benz and L.S. Lewis pp.369, ISBN 0-439-79574-5
Reviewed By: Trey
Max, Ernie, Harley, and Natalie form the Grey Griffins. Max found a book in his attic in his dream. But then he wakes up and there’s a glow under his bed, it’s the book. He looked inside it was blank then a fairy popped up and it was a sprig. It convinces Max to summon the Shadow King. Which is an evil monster that wants the codex spritus to summon portal to destroy the world. Max’s old best friend, who is now evil, takes his book. Is the world over?
I recommend this book to people who like fantasy and I recommend this book to all elementary and middle school kids. You would not want to put it down.
The City of Ember By: Jeanne DuPrau
$4.99 270 pages 2003 Random House
ISBN 0-7569-3395-1
Reviewed by: Karina
Lina Mayfleet switches with Doon for her ideal job, messenger. She wants to run through Ember and explore all the hidden nooks and corners. While her Grandmother is looking for something Lina notices her little sister, Poppy chewing on a piece of paper. When Lina pries the paper out of her mouth and sees writing and the word Instructions.
Doon Harrow switches with Lina for a job close to the generator, pipeworks laborer. Doon has big plans for the city. He’s going to figure out how to fix the generator and save the city from eternal darkness. The two of them team up and try to find out what the Instruction are and how they will help them.
Jeanne DuPrau makes this fantasy novel seem realistic. This book is a fast read and an easy one. The plot of this story has ton of twist and turns to throw you off track but then turns you to another conclusion.
Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy
By Jenny Nimmo
Orchard Books, 2004, 408pp.,
$4.99 ISBN 0-439-54527-7
Reviewed by Mark
Charlie Bone had a normal life. Then he found out that he could read pictures. Once his evil grandma found out, she sent him off to Bloors Academy, for people with special talents. It is Charlie Bone’s third year at Bloors Academy. In this book, of a series of four, Charlie and his friends find out that the headmaster of Bloors is holding Oille Sparks, an invisible boy, prisoner up in the attics.
Once I read the first book I couldn’t stop reading the series. Each book gets better and better. I recommend this book and the rest of the series to anyone who likes fantasy.
No day is ordinary for Elizabeth Marie Hall (Liz), well at least not anymore. Liz died on her bike going to the mall to look at prom dresses with her best friend, and got hit by a taxicab. The next thing she knew she was on a boat going to a strange place called “Elsewhere”. Here she meets her great-grandma and lives with her. In “Elsewhere” instead of growing up you grow down, and on your 0 birthday you are sent back to earth as a new person. While living in Elsewhere Liz falls in love. Will her relationship last? Will she find the man that killed her? Will ever get back to earth?
I really liked the way Zevin wrote, because it was very exciting and made me think twice about the key points if the book that happens in the book. I would rate this book a 9 out of ten because some parts didn’t flow very well but then they smoothed out. I would recommend this book to anyone because it is very fun and exciting to read.
- alex
Gideon: The Cutpurse
Linda Buckley-Archer, Simon& Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2006, 416 pp.,
$17.95, ISBN 1416915257
“The world dissolved for Peter. All sensation ceased. No pain. No noise. No heat. No great light. None of the things you might think would accompany such a momentous event – just an instantaneous, inexplicable, cavernous NOTHING.”
Peter Schock and Kate Dyer are transported back in time to 1763. At first they aren’t sure what happened to them, but then they realize that they are in the eighteenth century. Their parents and police search desperately for them with clues of strange ghost like appearances of Peter and Kate in different places. They befriend Gideon, a former cutpurse, who helps them.
Linda Buckley-Archer wrote and exciting story of Peter and Kate’s adventure in 1763. I would recommend this book to anyone.
-Lan
So You Want to Be a Wizard
Diane Duane
Harcourt Books, 386 pages
$6.95, 0-15-216250
‘Something stopped Nita’s hand as it ran along the bookshelf.’
The book that caught her eye was titled So You Want to Be a Wizard. She checked it out and walked home. The next time she opened the book she found an oath on one of the pages. The moment she read those words her life started to change forever.
Diane Duane’s story tells how Nita, her friend, a fellow wizard named Kit, and a white hole named Fred try to save the world from darkness.
I felt as if I was walking the streets of New York with these three as they try to stop the evil forces from an alternant dimension. I give this book a ten and I recommend this book to anyone that likes fantasy and a bit of adventure.
-Chase7
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Inkheart
Cornelia Funke
The Chicken House, 2003, 534 pp., $8.99
ISBN 0-439-70910-5
Could you ever imagine having your father being responsible for your mother’s disappearance AND making book characters come to life? Sound ridiculous? It sounded ridiculous to Meggie…until it became her life that she called a nightmare. Meggie’s life turns upside down when she discovers what really happened the night she turned three. She is caught in a knot of adventure that she can’t untangle herself from. Meggie seems to be living inside a fantasy story. But, there’s just one difference…it’s reality.
The second I started reading Inkheart, I just couldn’t stop! I immediately felt like I was with Meggie through her never-ending adventure with villains she never thought she would meet. Entranced by Cornelia Funke’s twisting plot and vivid descriptions, I devoured the whole page-turning novel in a single day. When I finished the first book in the Inkheart trilogy, I immediately picked up the next book, Inkspell, and starting reading. I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy stories about books, magic, and life-threatening risks.
-Brittany_3331☺
☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺
Inkspell
Cornelia Funke
The Chicken House, 2005, 635 pp., $9.99
ISBN # 0-430-55401-2
Inkspell, the sequel of the best seller, Inkheart, tells the story of a teenage girl who faces struggles that not even all adults go through. Meggie uses her magic abilities to transport herself in to a world created with just ink, words, and paper. She is enchanted by the fantasy world and all of its fictional wonders until suddenly her perfect little world comes tumbling down.
Meggie discovers her parents have followed her into the Inkworld. She worries every second for the safety of her mother and father as they navigate their way to find their beloved only daughter. While on this dangerous journey, Meggie’s dad, Mo, is arrested for crimes that he didn’t commit. Meggie is determined to help Mo and her mother, Resa, flee the grungy prison they were being held at the Adderhead’s castle. With the help of her friends, Meggie gathers all her wits and courage to help her father escape an execution, rescue her mother from prison, and make a cunning bargain with death.
Cornelia Funke creates an unbelievable novel that whisks you away to a completely different world. Throughout the entire story, I felt as if I was in Meggie’s shoes whether she was rejoicing or mourning. This is the book for you if you want a fast-paced read about suspense, magic, and enchantment.
What would you do if you were a cat living in the forest and your clan, as well as three others were threatened by humans and their construction? Would you leave and head to new, unknown territory? This is what Brambleclaw, Leafpaw, and Squirrelpaw were trying to figure out. Each of these four clans have no choice but to be forced to the edge of their territory due to the “twolegs” construction, and if they don’t cooperate, they will face extermination. Some of the cats get kidnapped by twolegs with metal cages, being held in dark sheds, and getting fed repulsive kitty pet food. Meanwhile the cats on the outside are growing weak and frightened from the kidnapped cats and construction. How much longer can they last, watching their world crumble around them? What they need is a sign from starclan....
The pages literally turn themselves in this book about survival. It’s action-packed with clan-clashes that these cats must face for existence in the forest. Readers who enjoyed the first series of Warriors or anything by Erin Hunter will love Warriors: Dawn. Erin Hunter tells the story with so much detail and uses great diction, using her five senses well. You should read this book because it’s fast-paced and exciting; you won’t get bored with it. I recommend cat-lovers or anybody who likes adventures to get your paws on this book.
“Darkness, air, water, and sky will come together.... and shake the forest to its roots.” What does this prophecy mean? This is what the six chosen cats were trying to figure out. They’ve been sent on a quest from starclan to try to save their clans from the human (A.K.A. twolegs) construction that occurred in their territories, and if they don’t succeed in time, their clan mates could suffer a cruel and brutal death. Now they were traveling home with a message from a badger named Midnight, saying that they must abandon their own territories, but on their way home they encounter a tribe of wild cats with a secret, and their own prophecy to fulfill. Stormfur (one of the chosen cats) can’t understand their strange fascination with him, but he soon realizes, its nothing good. When they try to embark, the tribe cats warned them about the dangers outside the mountains, and held them captive in their cave. Will the chosen cats make it back in time to save their clans, or will they be too late?
Warriors: Moonrise is a fast reading, exciting book about clan born cats living out in the wild. These cats put there lives on the line, just so their beloved others can survive. You should read it because its so heart pounding, you’ll never want to put it down. Erin Hunter tells the story as if she were actually there, using her five senses to describe the story. She uses great diction, blending it in well with the story. Readers will purr with amusement when reading this book.
Warriors: The Darkest Hour (book six)
Avon, 2004, 315 pp., $6.99,
Erin Hunter ISBN 9780060525859
By:Tristen
“Four will become two. Lion and tiger will meet in battle, and blood will rule the forest,” a blue-gray she-cat named Bluestar, from Starclan prophesized. Firestar, a noble ginger tom that is leader of Thunderclan, must uncover the meaning of these ominous epiphanies, to try to save everything he has ever known. He once was a meek little kittypet, but he decided that the forest life suited him best. But Firestar must be aware of the hungry, cat-eating dog pack Tigerstar brought into his territory, and the deadly traps he set trying to harm his clanmates. How will Firestar eradicate the dog pack? Meanwhile, Tigerstar’s quest to rule the forest plunges the clans into deep jeopardy, and the outsiders he brought in the forest don’t help at all. Scourge is the outsider’s leader, leader of Bloodclan. He’s decided he wants the forest for himself. Will Firestar join the ranks of Bloodclan, or go down in battle trying to defend his clan? Its time for heroes to rise....
The Darkest Hour is an action-packed, suspenseful adventure that urges readers onward. Erin Hunter tells the story as if she were there watching it happen, and has descriptive details to support it. This book can teach readers about the mysteries that a forest-born cat goes through, their emotions, the good and bad times, comparing it to human life.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the series of Warriors The New Prophesy, or simply anything by Erin Hunter. Readers won’t believe the risks these animals take just to reach their freedom.
Six kids: the youngest six-years-old, the oldest fourteen, live by themselves, wanting and wishing to find out who they are and where they come from.
So why don’t they try to find out?
These six kids, all six of them- Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, The Gasman, and Angel- are all what you would call ‘mutants’. They are 98% human and 2%, well, bird. The were chemically engineered when they were younger, and now have wingspans over twice their height, bones that are lighter than normal, and are uncannily fast and strong. Even the youngest, Angel, is stronger than any adult human.
They spent their younger years in a lab they call the ‘School’, a place where scientists genetically engineer humans and other creatures into mixed up animals. The ‘experiments’ are treated very badly, kept in way to tiny boxes and treated and tested brutally. The kids want to tell the authorities about the School, but then they’ll just be studied more and put under more tests and everyone will know of them as freaks.
The kids had spent a number of years without seeing or hearing anything from the School after they ran away from it. Then the youngest, Angel, was kidnapped by other mutants that work for the School, the Erasers. You read about the kids’ dangerous adventure as they battle problems of friendship, trust, and their quest of finding out who they are and how they came to be.
I love this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone. It’s mostly for people over the age of eleven. The author did a great job writing it. It came recommended to me by many of my friends, and it’s suspenseful, full of twists and turns, and leaves you wanting to read more. I can’t wait to read the second one!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
J.K. Rowling
Warner Bros., 2007, pg. 759, $34.99
ISBN# 0 - 545- 01022- 1
Harry Potter’s life is horrible. He is living again with his dreadful aunt, uncle and obnoxious cousin, Dudley. Since they were in great danger, Harry moves them to a different place in Europe so that they are protected. Last year in his sixth year his idol, Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster for Harry’s school, Hogwarts, was murdered. Before Dumbledore died, Harry was given a job to do, a secret job. This job was to destroy all the horcruxes.
While Harry and his two best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are looking for all the horcruxes, Voldemort, a dark wizard wanting to take over the wizarding world is at large.
I was immediately attached to this book. When I started to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I could see the movie behind my eyelids every second of the story. The way J.K. Rowling describes the characters and the scenes is unbelievable. She puts in every possible detail.
This book builds so much suspense you’re on the edge of your seat. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is like a rollercoaster ride as it talks about friendship and working together. I would recommend this book to anyone that would like to take J.K. Rowling’s adventurous ride.
“…It is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three. Everyone knows you will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes.”
Sophie Hatter, the eldest of three daughters, knows this. She works all day in her father’s hat shop, now run by her stepmother, sewing fake flowers and ribbons to hats. Her younger sisters set out to be a good witch’s apprentice and the other a baker, while she lives a boring life wilting away in a very successful hat shop. But she does not complain at all, and thinks that this is just the way life was dealt to her: that one day she will inherit the hat shop and spend her days making fabulous hats.
Suddenly, there is a great turn of events in poor Sophie’s dreary life. While Sophie was closing up the shop, a stranger came in. But it wasn’t just any stranger. It was the wicked Witch of the Waste. For some mysterious and unknown reason, she changed Sophie from a girl not even twenty to a ninety-year-old lady.
To escape the complication of being found an old lady by her family, she runs away from their town of Market Chipping, towards the Waste. She runs into mischievous Wizard Howl’s castle and enlists as a maid there, and a thrilling adventure begins.
Told from Sophie’s point of view, this book is funny, thoughtful, and an amazingly complex fantasy novel. I loved it and I highly recommend it to everyone over the age of twelve. It’s full of twists and turns and things that you would never expect to happen, with twisted enchantments and cunning plans.
-Katie K
The Golden Compass
Philip Pullman
Alfred A. Knopf Inc., $10.00, 1995
399 pgs, ISBN # 0-679-87924
What if you were given the opportunity to go north to find your best friend? Well, Lyra Belacqua was given that chance.
Lyra Belacqua is an orphan that lives at Jordon College that is curious and doesn’t understand boundaries. She also has a little daemon, Pan, that follows her around. She ends up going to Mrs. Coulter’s house so she didn’t have to stay with the maids and clean the floor. Before she left Jordon College, she was given a gift from the Master, the Alethiometer: a golden shaped compass.
Mrs. Coulter was acting a little fishy around Lyra. She talked about going North. When they travel North, Lyra runs into armored bears, evil humans, and other fascinating creatures.
I would recommend this book to any one who likes adventure. The way Pullman describes The Golden Compass is incredible. He uses so many sensory details it is mind blowing. You are immediately drawn to every page you can’t put the book down.
- Sophia
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
J.K. Rowling,
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2007, 759pp., $34.99
ISBN 0-545-01022-5
Will he die? Did he win? Is the evil guy going to die? These were my questions about Harry in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows”. In this last Harry Potter book Harry meets up with Lord Voldomort for the last time ever. I would tell you the end, but then why read it? I’ll just say that it’s good. Also, in the very last chapter, you find out who Harry marries!
When I read this book, I felt like I could see what went on. I think this is Ms. J.K. Rowling’s best book ever! The reason I think this because it had action, and a huge battle at the end too. I think I’d recommend this great book to anyone who likes action, adventure and fantasy. Well have fun reading.
Reviewed By: Corey
Warriors: The New Prophecy: Midnight HarperCollins, 2005, 303 pp.,
Erin Hunter $15.99, ISBN:0-06-074449-9
After a few reports of monsters veering off the thunderpath and into the forest, Brambleclaw, Tigerstar’s son, is sent a strange dream from Starclan. He is told to meet at Fourtrees with three other chosen cats. With Squirrelpaw by his side, he travels to Fourtrees and finds Feathertail, Stormfur, Crowpaw, and Tawnypelt to be the cats he is to travel with to save the forest. Now, they are told they must travel further than any forest cat has ever gone to hear what Midnight has to tell them. As they set off, they leave with only two things. The desire to save the forest from being destroyed by the twolegs, and an ominous prophecy; “Darkness, Air, Water, and Sky will come together, and shake the forest to its roots.” Will the chosen warriors be able to save themselves from yet another bone-rattling prophecy?
You would think that after six great books, Erin Hunter would be running out of ideas by now. Well think again! Midnight is the first book of The New Prophecy series and is packed with much more adventure than the first series. But please, be sure to read all six books in the first series before reading Midnight.
As peace finally seems to fall on the forest, everything is plunged into darkness once more. Firestar’s dreams are filled with strange, shrieking cats. But one dream in particular unsettles Firestar the most; The leader of the strange cats tells him there were once five clans in the forest instead of four. If Firestar is ever to find piece again, he must find what remains of the ancient Skyclan and bring them back to the forest. Will Firestar be able to set right the unjust treatment given to Skyclan long ago, or is it much too late?
After having the Warriors leave the forest, Erin Hunter gives the first series one last curtain call. In this super edition, Hunter is able to describe the mysterious new environment perfectly to the last detail. This book will please anyone who loves fantasy, adventure, and suspenseful books.
-Andrew
Warriors is about a former housecat named Fireheart, the deputy of Thunderclan. Since he became deputy, he knew that Tigerclaw, the former deputy who attempted to murder the clan leader, would seek revenge on the whole clan. After many doubts, it becomes clear to Fieheart that any chance of killing Tigerclaw has been shattered; Tigerclaw has become the leader of Shadowclan and has received nine lives! Fireheart no longer has the courage to fight him, due to the fact that their own leader, Bluestar, is dead. Will Fireheart put an end to Tigerclaw’s blood lust and save his clan from total destruction?
Erin Hunter gives amazing detail and description to so many characters in her on-going Warriors series. The special twists and turns in the plot keep me reading for hours at a time. I recommend this book to all cat lovers and people who love reading fantasy and adventure.
-Andrew
The Land of Elyon Book 1: The Dark Hills Divide
Patrick Carman
Orchard Books, 2005, 251pp. $9.95
ISBN 0-439-75843-2
Alexa Daley is spending yet another summer in Bridwell with her father. She looks forward to exploring the almost deserted town for a way to escape outside the wall that has been protecting their kingdom from evil that lurks outside in the Dark Hills. When she finally discovers a way outside the wall she boldly travels into the Dark Hills. But she soon discovers the terrible truth about the Land of Elyon and only she can stop the unraveling of unfortunate events. Armed with a new power and the help of her friends, she battles evil- before it is too late and the Land of Elyon is destroyed forever.
The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman is an adventure packed fantasy novel about a young girl, facing challenges she never thought she could. Throughout the entire book I new what each character was thinking because of Carman’s remarkable writing skills. I love this story and recommended it to anyone who loves reading about friendship, facing unpredictable challenges, and believing in you.
-ylime
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
J.K. Rowling
Scholastic Inc. Publishers 2005, pp. 652
ISBN- 0-439-78454-9
Reviewed by Emily
It is Harry Potters sixth year and times are as dangerous as ever. The darkest most evil wizard ever to set foot in the magical world, Lord Voldemort, has returned and things are even more mysterious.
Harry discovers that Draco Malfoy, an arch foe, needs something mended, and fast. Something two of a kind... or else. Harry suspects that Malfoy is up to no good, but can he prove it?
In other matters, Harry finds that his potions book is not like any other. The helpful tips in the margins and the new inventive spells no one has ever heard of were written by the Half-Blood Prince. But who was the Prince? His hints have certainly cause him to ‘show his talented skills’, but whoever it was must have been a genius.
Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, has been having private lessons with Harry throughout the school year. Searching through Voldemort’s past is very important if one day Harry is going to have to kill him, so the prophecy said. The question is, why didn’t Voldemort die that one night fifteen years ago when he killed Harry’s parents and tried to kill him, too? What was causing him to stay alive after the killing curse rebounded off of Harry, which gave Harry the scar he still shows on his forehead today?
I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, mystery, science fiction, and adventure. I also recommend the other six books in the series. J.K. Rowling uses great description and shows the feelings of characters in great detail. these books are great reads for teenagers.
The Schwa Was Here ISBN 0-525-47182-0
Neil Shusterman Pg. 228
“Here’s what we’re going to do, we are going to put him in a cat suit and an orange sombrero in the boy’s bathroom to see if anyone notices him”. This book is full of wacky schemes like this to try to earn some money. The Schwa is a twelve-year-old boy that is obstetrically challenged which means that he is almost invisible to the human naked eye unless you stare really hard at him. Anthony starts to make his own business with the Schwa and do all sorts of crazy dares that gets them into huge trouble by old man Crawley.
This book is full of hilarious sarcasm. I rate this book with a four and a half star rating and believe that anyone would love it.
Price-$15.99
Buttens children’s books
Reviewed by Alex Koster
The Titans Curse
Rick Riordan, Year 2006,
312 pages
$17.95
Reviewed by Alex Koster
The Titan’s Curse is a great book that has a lot of action. Percy, Annabeth, Thalia, and Zoë set on an epic adventure. They meet gruesome monsters including Dr. Thorn and the God of Curse. These two monsters are trying to stop them from destroying Kronos, a titan that the Gods had to destroy.
Percy is a halfblood, which means his father/mother had kids with a human. He is a great character that seems to point out the obvious.
I think this fantasy book is tremendous for all ages . I rate this
book a 10 because I think this book was awesome and a page turner all through out the book.
The Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan
Hyperion books for children, 2006, 279 pages.
$17.95, ISBN 078685686-6
Reviewed by, Alex Koster
The Sea of Monsters is a sequel of the Lightning Thief and a Prequel of the Titan’s Curse. He threw a leather pouch into our chariot. It stuck to the floor immediately and began billowing green smoke.
“Greek fire!” Annabeth yelled. Rick Riordan fuses mythology and real life situations to form an epic novel that has unsuspected twists and relevant action. Rick Riordan creates his novel using his great characters like Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson. Tyson is Percies Best friend in his new school but quickly expelled after a pack of gruesome ogres attack their school and figure out Tyson is immune to fire.
I rate this book a Chuck Norris for its great detail and amusing characters.
Fade
Robert Cormier
Random house children’s books, pg.310
$7.99, 0-385-73134-5
Reviewed by: Drake
What would you do if you were given the power to fade. Paul, a thirteen year old kid, is given the power to fade. “Fade”, Paul calls it but his nephew, Ozzie, calls it “going unseen”. Either ways, no one can see them; they cannot even see themselves.
Paul plays around with the “Fade”. He sees stuff that will scar him for life. But Ozzie goes from playing around to cold-blooded murder. He steals, breaks in to people’s houses, and worst of all, kills. Paul and Ozzie abuse their powers for there own personal gain.
I would recommend Fade to people who like fantasy and books dealing with mature situations. I was absorbed into the book as the pages seem to turn themselves. The author puts great detail into the book. The characters come to life as the narrator explains the story.
Among the free
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Simon & Schuster books for young readers, 2006,pg. 194
, 0-85798-5
Reviewed by: Drake
What would you do if were an illegal third child. In Luke’s world, it’s illegal to be a third child because of a food shortage. But he’s not alone in the world. There are more third children like Nina and Trey.
Children should never be hated for being third. But Luke, Nina, and Trey must deal with the population police, hunting them down. Their adventures take them everywhere.
I would recommend this book to people who love science fiction and a little bit of war. The book show what can happen if we get overpopulated. The author puts great detail in the stories of Luke and his friends. The Shadow Children series ends with the biggest change of their lives.
The Titan's Curse
Rick Riordan, year 2006, 312 pages
$17.95
Reviewed by: J.T.
“before anybody could react, the monster with Annabeth still on its back leaped off the cliff and tumbled into the darkness.”
In this compelling novel Riordan creates a sensational twist between human and, western culture/ civilization. When Percy follows Zoë on her quest to defeat the general they become in grave danger. They have to fight the evil manticore DR. Thorn many times over to save the western civilization.
If I were to rate this book I’d give it a CHUCK NORRIS!!!!!
The Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan ISBN#0439865999
$4.99 375 Pages
reviewed by: J.T.
“Then with an angry roar the monster closed its fists around my mothers neck, and she dissolved before my eyes melting into light, a shimmering golden form, as if she were a holographic projection. A blinding flash then she was simply… gone.”
When Percy Jackson is sent on a quest to recover the sky god Zues’ master bolt before the summer solstice or he will parish at the own hands of his uncle Zeus. To recover this bolt and stop all of western civilization from falling into ruin he most defeat Ares multiple times in combat. When Percy defeats Ares he must travel to Hades the underworld god, he will enter the layer, and search for the bolt. Will Percy Jackson complete his or will his uncle kill him and have the same fate as his mother.
If I were to rate this book I would rate it a CHUCK NORRIS (above 10)!
The Sea of Monsters 219 pages Hyperion books
Rick Riordan $17.95 copyright 2006
Reviewd by:J.T. ISBN: 142310334-
“Another fireball came streaking toward me. Tyson pushed me out of the way, but the explosion still blew head over heels.”
In this fantasy, Riordan creates a powerful bond between human nature and the powerful ancient Greek gods of Olympus. After finding out Percy’s brother, Tyson, is a Cyclops, Percy must take on a dangerous task to save camp Half-blood. Will Percy, and his brother Tyson complete their quest to return the “Golden Fleece” to camp or will they be condemned to the underworld ruler Hades for the rest of eternity.
I recommend this book to anyone who has a passion for violence, action, and bravery.
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<(*_*<)~Jeffrey Morton~(>*_*)>
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The Titans Curse
Rick Riordan
Hyperion Books, 2007, 314 pgs.
ISBN-10: 0-545-05704-3
Reviewed by Harrison
The book I reviewed is called The Titan’s Curse. The Titan’s Curse is about this kid named Percy Jackson. The Titan Lord Kronos is on the verge of a new war between the gods of Olympus and the Titans. Percy picks a fight at the end of the book with the Titan Lord Atlas and is almost finished off but he somehow survives.
This book is one of the best books of the year and the pages go by so fast you can’t catch them. I recommend this book to everyone. Especially for fantasy lovers.
I loved this book since I opened the first page.
Did you ever want to be someone else or did someone you have a crush on ever shoot you down? Well, Diasuke did get rejected, and he became someone else when he turned fourteen: An infamous art thief named Dark. He finally finds out that his family was art thieves, and that he’ll keep transforming into Dark unless the person he loves gives love in return. But how can Diasuke win the heart of a girl he can’t even romance?
I think this graphic novel series is the best ever! I suggest people that like fantasy/romance should read every single volume of DNANGEL.
J.K. Rowling 0-590-35340-3
Could you imagine finding out that you had wizard powers passed down from your murdered parents at age eleven? This is exactly what happened to Harry Potter. After being rescued from his vindictive and jealous “muggle” aunt and uncle, he is introduced to a secret, magical world. Now Harry will be attending Hogwarts, a secret wizard school. At Hogwarts Harry meets new friends, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Together they have fun adventures, and find out dark secrets he must protect. During the school year they find out about the sorcerers stone. This stone can make you live forever, and it can turn any metal into gold. Voldemort the wizard that killed Harry’s parents is trying to steal it from Hogwarts. Harry and his friends must stop him or else he will destroy every good thing in the wizard world.
The description by J.K. Rowling is exhilarating and really makes you feel like I was there, by creating good images. She also creates good dialect. I recommend this book to all ages, and if you like this book you should read the whole series.
Mason
Harry potter and the Deathly Hollows
J.K. Rowling
Arthur A. Levine books, 2007, pp759, $29.99,
ISBN # -978-0-545-01022-1
Harry, Ron, and Hermione planned to skip their seventh and final year at Hogwarts. They’re skipping this year to destroy the seven horcruxes created by Voldemort to give him an extra life supply, so that he can kill Harry without being destroyed again. If he succeeds he will be able to regain power. If Harry can destroy the Horcruxes he will have a much better chance at defeating Voldemort.
As if Voldemort wasn’t enough trouble already, Harry is in a race against time to find the Deathly Hollows. There is a legend that says if you posses all three of the hollows you will be the best wizard in the world. The hollows include the Elder Wand (the most powerful wand ever made), the resurection stone a stone that brings people back to life, and an invisibility cloak (that Harry finds out he already posses). Harry hopes to find all the Hallows before Voldemort figures out their great powers.
This entire story is a cat and mouse game between Harry and Voldemort. Harry is sometimes close to being caught but never really does get caught.
A really awesome thing J.K. Rowling does in this book is how the description makes you feel like your really there. I definitely recommend this book because of the heart stopping suspense.
- Mason
Inkheart Isbn 0-439-53164-0
By Cornelia Funke Published by scholastic
Inkheart is an awesome exciting story of a girl named meggie and her father who have a special ability. When ever these two read the story comes to life. One day meggie’s father reads to his family. As he is reading his wife and two cats disappear. He figures out that he sent his wife and cats into the book. And brought the evil characters out. Him and is daughter go on adventure to try and free the mom and cats. When they run into the evil characters that came out of the book. He wants to destroy the books so he can’t be put back in the book. Cornelia Funke uses such good descriptive writing. She puts detail into every thing in the book. I feel as if I’m standing right next to the characters going through what there going through seeing what they see. This book is amazing and I would rate it a Chuck Norris and recommend it to anyone who likes action fantasy.
By Saber
The Golden Compass
Phillip Pullman
Random House Inc., 1995, 399p.
$15.99, ISBN 0-679-87924-2
Lyra Balacqua and her daemon Pantalaiman have lived at Oxford College all their life. It is a great place for adventure. But when the gobblers arrive and kidnap her friend, Roger, she is determined to find him. In her quest to find him, she is kidnapped herself. When she arrives at Bolvangar, the place where they hold the children, she fears for her life that they don’t pick her for an experiment.
The Golden Compass is powerful and beautiful fantasy novel. Pullman’s intense description draws the reader into the story of Lyra and Pan. It is full of horror and heart stopping adventure. This book will leave you wanting to read the sequel.
Erica
Charlie Bone and the Hidden King
By Jenny Nimmo
Orchard books, 2006, pp.441
$9.95, ISBN 0-439-54530-7
Reviewed by Mark
Charlie Bone is back in Bloors Academy in his fourth year. While he was in the king’s room he noticed that the kings shadow has disappeared in his portrait. Charlie and his friends find out that the shadow is an enchanter strange things start to happen: his mom starts dating again, his grandma is frozen solid in the bathtub, and the memory of his father starts drifting away. When everything was going down the toilet his uncle, Paton, went to seek out the Red King to restore order.
But will Charlie’s family and his friends be able to stop the enchanter from destroying the town? Will Charlie forget the memory of his father forever? This book is a fictional adventure. You won’t be able to stop reading until you flipped the last page.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a fictional magic thriller. I read this book because once I read the first book I had to keep reading the series. This book has 441 pages but it’s not dense. Every page is double spaced so that you can read the book as fast as possible.
The City of Ember
By Jeanne Duprau
Random House Children Books,
pg. 270 15.95$
ISBN: 0-375-82273-9
Reviewed by: Trey
Lina wants to have the job of a messenger, but she ends up as a pipe-work laborer. Doon draws messenger, but he wanted something that helps the city. They end up trading cards. Lina finds a sheet of paper that her little sister was chewing up. She tries to decipher it piece by piece to see if it ends up in the “outside world.” She finally deciphers it and gets Doon to sneak her inside this pipe works, to find the outside world.
I recommend this book to middle school students who like fantasy
Revenge of the Shadow King Orchard books, 2006, 10.99$,
Derek Benz and L.S. Lewis pp.369, ISBN 0-439-79574-5
Reviewed By: Trey
Max, Ernie, Harley, and Natalie form the Grey Griffins. Max found a book in his attic in his dream. But then he wakes up and there’s a glow under his bed, it’s the book. He looked inside it was blank then a fairy popped up and it was a sprig. It convinces Max to summon the Shadow King. Which is an evil monster that wants the codex spritus to summon portal to destroy the world. Max’s old best friend, who is now evil, takes his book. Is the world over?
I recommend this book to people who like fantasy and I recommend this book to all elementary and middle school kids. You would not want to put it down.
The City of Ember By: Jeanne DuPrau
$4.99 270 pages 2003 Random House
ISBN 0-7569-3395-1
Reviewed by: Karina
Lina Mayfleet switches with Doon for her ideal job, messenger. She wants to run through Ember and explore all the hidden nooks and corners. While her Grandmother is looking for something Lina notices her little sister, Poppy chewing on a piece of paper. When Lina pries the paper out of her mouth and sees writing and the word Instructions.
Doon Harrow switches with Lina for a job close to the generator, pipeworks laborer. Doon has big plans for the city. He’s going to figure out how to fix the generator and save the city from eternal darkness. The two of them team up and try to find out what the Instruction are and how they will help them.
Jeanne DuPrau makes this fantasy novel seem realistic. This book is a fast read and an easy one. The plot of this story has ton of twist and turns to throw you off track but then turns you to another conclusion.
Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy
By Jenny Nimmo
Orchard Books, 2004, 408pp.,
$4.99 ISBN 0-439-54527-7
Reviewed by Mark
Charlie Bone had a normal life. Then he found out that he could read pictures. Once his evil grandma found out, she sent him off to Bloors Academy, for people with special talents. It is Charlie Bone’s third year at Bloors Academy. In this book, of a series of four, Charlie and his friends find out that the headmaster of Bloors is holding Oille Sparks, an invisible boy, prisoner up in the attics.
Once I read the first book I couldn’t stop reading the series. Each book gets better and better. I recommend this book and the rest of the series to anyone who likes fantasy.
Elsewhere
Gabrielle Zevin
square fish, $6.95, 2007, pg, 275
Isbn: 978-0-312-36746-6
No day is ordinary for Elizabeth Marie Hall (Liz), well at least not anymore. Liz died on her bike going to the mall to look at prom dresses with her best friend, and got hit by a taxicab. The next thing she knew she was on a boat going to a strange place called “Elsewhere”. Here she meets her great-grandma and lives with her. In “Elsewhere” instead of growing up you grow down, and on your 0 birthday you are sent back to earth as a new person. While living in Elsewhere Liz falls in love. Will her relationship last? Will she find the man that killed her? Will ever get back to earth?
I really liked the way Zevin wrote, because it was very exciting and made me think twice about the key points if the book that happens in the book. I would rate this book a 9 out of ten because some parts didn’t flow very well but then they smoothed out. I would recommend this book to anyone because it is very fun and exciting to read.
- alex
Gideon: The Cutpurse
Linda Buckley-Archer, Simon& Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2006, 416 pp.,
$17.95, ISBN 1416915257
“The world dissolved for Peter. All sensation ceased. No pain. No noise. No heat. No great light. None of the things you might think would accompany such a momentous event – just an instantaneous, inexplicable, cavernous NOTHING.”
Peter Schock and Kate Dyer are transported back in time to 1763. At first they aren’t sure what happened to them, but then they realize that they are in the eighteenth century. Their parents and police search desperately for them with clues of strange ghost like appearances of Peter and Kate in different places. They befriend Gideon, a former cutpurse, who helps them.
Linda Buckley-Archer wrote and exciting story of Peter and Kate’s adventure in 1763. I would recommend this book to anyone.
-Lan
So You Want to Be a Wizard
Diane Duane
Harcourt Books, 386 pages
$6.95, 0-15-216250
‘Something stopped Nita’s hand as it ran along the bookshelf.’
The book that caught her eye was titled So You Want to Be a Wizard. She checked it out and walked home. The next time she opened the book she found an oath on one of the pages. The moment she read those words her life started to change forever.
Diane Duane’s story tells how Nita, her friend, a fellow wizard named Kit, and a white hole named Fred try to save the world from darkness.
I felt as if I was walking the streets of New York with these three as they try to stop the evil forces from an alternant dimension. I give this book a ten and I recommend this book to anyone that likes fantasy and a bit of adventure.
-Chase7
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Inkheart
Cornelia Funke
The Chicken House, 2003, 534 pp., $8.99
ISBN 0-439-70910-5
Could you ever imagine having your father being responsible for your mother’s disappearance AND making book characters come to life? Sound ridiculous? It sounded ridiculous to Meggie…until it became her life that she called a nightmare. Meggie’s life turns upside down when she discovers what really happened the night she turned three. She is caught in a knot of adventure that she can’t untangle herself from. Meggie seems to be living inside a fantasy story. But, there’s just one difference…it’s reality.
The second I started reading Inkheart, I just couldn’t stop! I immediately felt like I was with Meggie through her never-ending adventure with villains she never thought she would meet. Entranced by Cornelia Funke’s twisting plot and vivid descriptions, I devoured the whole page-turning novel in a single day. When I finished the first book in the Inkheart trilogy, I immediately picked up the next book, Inkspell, and starting reading. I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy stories about books, magic, and life-threatening risks.
-Brittany_3331☺
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InkspellCornelia Funke
The Chicken House, 2005, 635 pp., $9.99
ISBN # 0-430-55401-2
Inkspell, the sequel of the best seller, Inkheart, tells the story of a teenage girl who faces struggles that not even all adults go through. Meggie uses her magic abilities to transport herself in to a world created with just ink, words, and paper. She is enchanted by the fantasy world and all of its fictional wonders until suddenly her perfect little world comes tumbling down.
Meggie discovers her parents have followed her into the Inkworld. She worries every second for the safety of her mother and father as they navigate their way to find their beloved only daughter. While on this dangerous journey, Meggie’s dad, Mo, is arrested for crimes that he didn’t commit. Meggie is determined to help Mo and her mother, Resa, flee the grungy prison they were being held at the Adderhead’s castle. With the help of her friends, Meggie gathers all her wits and courage to help her father escape an execution, rescue her mother from prison, and make a cunning bargain with death.
Cornelia Funke creates an unbelievable novel that whisks you away to a completely different world. Throughout the entire story, I felt as if I was in Meggie’s shoes whether she was rejoicing or mourning. This is the book for you if you want a fast-paced read about suspense, magic, and enchantment.
-Brittany_3331 ☺
Warriors: Dawn (book three)
Avon, 2006, 335pp., $6.99,
Erin Hunter ISBN# 9780060744571
By: Tristen
What would you do if you were a cat living in the forest and your clan, as well as three others were threatened by humans and their construction? Would you leave and head to new, unknown territory? This is what Brambleclaw, Leafpaw, and Squirrelpaw were trying to figure out. Each of these four clans have no choice but to be forced to the edge of their territory due to the “twolegs” construction, and if they don’t cooperate, they will face extermination. Some of the cats get kidnapped by twolegs with metal cages, being held in dark sheds, and getting fed repulsive kitty pet food. Meanwhile the cats on the outside are growing weak and frightened from the kidnapped cats and construction. How much longer can they last, watching their world crumble around them? What they need is a sign from starclan....
The pages literally turn themselves in this book about survival. It’s action-packed with clan-clashes that these cats must face for existence in the forest. Readers who enjoyed the first series of Warriors or anything by Erin Hunter will love Warriors: Dawn. Erin Hunter tells the story with so much detail and uses great diction, using her five senses well. You should read this book because it’s fast-paced and exciting; you won’t get bored with it. I recommend cat-lovers or anybody who likes adventures to get your paws on this book.
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Warriors: Moonrise (book two)
Avon, 2005, 287 pp., $6.99,
Erin Hunter ISBN# 9780060744540
By:Tristen
“Darkness, air, water, and sky will come together.... and shake the forest to its roots.” What does this prophecy mean? This is what the six chosen cats were trying to figure out. They’ve been sent on a quest from starclan to try to save their clans from the human (A.K.A. twolegs) construction that occurred in their territories, and if they don’t succeed in time, their clan mates could suffer a cruel and brutal death. Now they were traveling home with a message from a badger named Midnight, saying that they must abandon their own territories, but on their way home they encounter a tribe of wild cats with a secret, and their own prophecy to fulfill. Stormfur (one of the chosen cats) can’t understand their strange fascination with him, but he soon realizes, its nothing good. When they try to embark, the tribe cats warned them about the dangers outside the mountains, and held them captive in their cave. Will the chosen cats make it back in time to save their clans, or will they be too late?
Warriors: Moonrise is a fast reading, exciting book about clan born cats living out in the wild. These cats put there lives on the line, just so their beloved others can survive. You should read it because its so heart pounding, you’ll never want to put it down. Erin Hunter tells the story as if she were actually there, using her five senses to describe the story. She uses great diction, blending it in well with the story. Readers will purr with amusement when reading this book.
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Warriors: The Darkest Hour (book six)
Avon, 2004, 315 pp., $6.99,
Erin Hunter ISBN 9780060525859
By:Tristen
“Four will become two. Lion and tiger will meet in battle, and blood will rule the forest,” a blue-gray she-cat named Bluestar, from Starclan prophesized. Firestar, a noble ginger tom that is leader of Thunderclan, must uncover the meaning of these ominous epiphanies, to try to save everything he has ever known. He once was a meek little kittypet, but he decided that the forest life suited him best. But Firestar must be aware of the hungry, cat-eating dog pack Tigerstar brought into his territory, and the deadly traps he set trying to harm his clanmates. How will Firestar eradicate the dog pack? Meanwhile, Tigerstar’s quest to rule the forest plunges the clans into deep jeopardy, and the outsiders he brought in the forest don’t help at all. Scourge is the outsider’s leader, leader of Bloodclan. He’s decided he wants the forest for himself. Will Firestar join the ranks of Bloodclan, or go down in battle trying to defend his clan? Its time for heroes to rise....
The Darkest Hour is an action-packed, suspenseful adventure that urges readers onward. Erin Hunter tells the story as if she were there watching it happen, and has descriptive details to support it. This book can teach readers about the mysteries that a forest-born cat goes through, their emotions, the good and bad times, comparing it to human life.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the series of Warriors The New Prophesy, or simply anything by Erin Hunter. Readers won’t believe the risks these animals take just to reach their freedom.
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Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
James Patterson
Copyright 2005, Little, Brown and Company, pp. 422,
ISBN: 0-316-15556-X, $16.99
reviewed by Katie K.
Six kids: the youngest six-years-old, the oldest fourteen, live by themselves, wanting and wishing to find out who they are and where they come from.
So why don’t they try to find out?
These six kids, all six of them- Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, The Gasman, and Angel- are all what you would call ‘mutants’. They are 98% human and 2%, well, bird. The were chemically engineered when they were younger, and now have wingspans over twice their height, bones that are lighter than normal, and are uncannily fast and strong. Even the youngest, Angel, is stronger than any adult human.
They spent their younger years in a lab they call the ‘School’, a place where scientists genetically engineer humans and other creatures into mixed up animals. The ‘experiments’ are treated very badly, kept in way to tiny boxes and treated and tested brutally. The kids want to tell the authorities about the School, but then they’ll just be studied more and put under more tests and everyone will know of them as freaks.
The kids had spent a number of years without seeing or hearing anything from the School after they ran away from it. Then the youngest, Angel, was kidnapped by other mutants that work for the School, the Erasers. You read about the kids’ dangerous adventure as they battle problems of friendship, trust, and their quest of finding out who they are and how they came to be.
I love this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone. It’s mostly for people over the age of eleven. The author did a great job writing it. It came recommended to me by many of my friends, and it’s suspenseful, full of twists and turns, and leaves you wanting to read more. I can’t wait to read the second one!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
J.K. Rowling
Warner Bros., 2007, pg. 759, $34.99
ISBN# 0 - 545- 01022- 1
Harry Potter’s life is horrible. He is living again with his dreadful aunt, uncle and obnoxious cousin, Dudley. Since they were in great danger, Harry moves them to a different place in Europe so that they are protected. Last year in his sixth year his idol, Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster for Harry’s school, Hogwarts, was murdered. Before Dumbledore died, Harry was given a job to do, a secret job. This job was to destroy all the horcruxes.
While Harry and his two best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are looking for all the horcruxes, Voldemort, a dark wizard wanting to take over the wizarding world is at large.
I was immediately attached to this book. When I started to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I could see the movie behind my eyelids every second of the story. The way J.K. Rowling describes the characters and the scenes is unbelievable. She puts in every possible detail.
This book builds so much suspense you’re on the edge of your seat. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is like a rollercoaster ride as it talks about friendship and working together. I would recommend this book to anyone that would like to take J.K. Rowling’s adventurous ride.
- Sophia
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Howl’s Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones
Greenwillow Books, 2001, 329 pp, $16.95
ISBN: 0-06-029881-2
“…It is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three. Everyone knows you will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes.”
Sophie Hatter, the eldest of three daughters, knows this. She works all day in her father’s hat shop, now run by her stepmother, sewing fake flowers and ribbons to hats. Her younger sisters set out to be a good witch’s apprentice and the other a baker, while she lives a boring life wilting away in a very successful hat shop. But she does not complain at all, and thinks that this is just the way life was dealt to her: that one day she will inherit the hat shop and spend her days making fabulous hats.
Suddenly, there is a great turn of events in poor Sophie’s dreary life. While Sophie was closing up the shop, a stranger came in. But it wasn’t just any stranger. It was the wicked Witch of the Waste. For some mysterious and unknown reason, she changed Sophie from a girl not even twenty to a ninety-year-old lady.
To escape the complication of being found an old lady by her family, she runs away from their town of Market Chipping, towards the Waste. She runs into mischievous Wizard Howl’s castle and enlists as a maid there, and a thrilling adventure begins.
Told from Sophie’s point of view, this book is funny, thoughtful, and an amazingly complex fantasy novel. I loved it and I highly recommend it to everyone over the age of twelve. It’s full of twists and turns and things that you would never expect to happen, with twisted enchantments and cunning plans.
-Katie K
The Golden Compass
Philip Pullman
Alfred A. Knopf Inc., $10.00, 1995
399 pgs, ISBN # 0-679-87924
What if you were given the opportunity to go north to find your best friend? Well, Lyra Belacqua was given that chance.
Lyra Belacqua is an orphan that lives at Jordon College that is curious and doesn’t understand boundaries. She also has a little daemon, Pan, that follows her around. She ends up going to Mrs. Coulter’s house so she didn’t have to stay with the maids and clean the floor. Before she left Jordon College, she was given a gift from the Master, the Alethiometer: a golden shaped compass.
Mrs. Coulter was acting a little fishy around Lyra. She talked about going North. When they travel North, Lyra runs into armored bears, evil humans, and other fascinating creatures.
I would recommend this book to any one who likes adventure. The way Pullman describes The Golden Compass is incredible. He uses so many sensory details it is mind blowing. You are immediately drawn to every page you can’t put the book down.
- Sophia
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
J.K. Rowling,
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2007, 759pp., $34.99
ISBN 0-545-01022-5
Will he die? Did he win? Is the evil guy going to die? These were my questions about Harry in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows”. In this last Harry Potter book Harry meets up with Lord Voldomort for the last time ever. I would tell you the end, but then why read it? I’ll just say that it’s good. Also, in the very last chapter, you find out who Harry marries!
When I read this book, I felt like I could see what went on. I think this is Ms. J.K. Rowling’s best book ever! The reason I think this because it had action, and a huge battle at the end too. I think I’d recommend this great book to anyone who likes action, adventure and fantasy. Well have fun reading.
Reviewed By: Corey
Warriors: The New Prophecy: Midnight HarperCollins, 2005, 303 pp.,
Erin Hunter $15.99, ISBN:0-06-074449-9
After a few reports of monsters veering off the thunderpath and into the forest, Brambleclaw, Tigerstar’s son, is sent a strange dream from Starclan. He is told to meet at Fourtrees with three other chosen cats. With Squirrelpaw by his side, he travels to Fourtrees and finds Feathertail, Stormfur, Crowpaw, and Tawnypelt to be the cats he is to travel with to save the forest. Now, they are told they must travel further than any forest cat has ever gone to hear what Midnight has to tell them. As they set off, they leave with only two things. The desire to save the forest from being destroyed by the twolegs, and an ominous prophecy; “Darkness, Air, Water, and Sky will come together, and shake the forest to its roots.” Will the chosen warriors be able to save themselves from yet another bone-rattling prophecy?
You would think that after six great books, Erin Hunter would be running out of ideas by now. Well think again! Midnight is the first book of The New Prophecy series and is packed with much more adventure than the first series. But please, be sure to read all six books in the first series before reading Midnight.
-Andrew
Warriors: Super Edition: Firestar’s Quest HarperColins, 2007, 505 pp., $17.99, ISBN:976-0-06-113166-0
As peace finally seems to fall on the forest, everything is plunged into darkness once more. Firestar’s dreams are filled with strange, shrieking cats. But one dream in particular unsettles Firestar the most; The leader of the strange cats tells him there were once five clans in the forest instead of four. If Firestar is ever to find piece again, he must find what remains of the ancient Skyclan and bring them back to the forest. Will Firestar be able to set right the unjust treatment given to Skyclan long ago, or is it much too late?
After having the Warriors leave the forest, Erin Hunter gives the first series one last curtain call. In this super edition, Hunter is able to describe the mysterious new environment perfectly to the last detail. This book will please anyone who loves fantasy, adventure, and suspenseful books.
-Andrew
Warriors: The Darkest Hour Harper Collins, 2004, 315 pp.,
Erin Hunter $6.99, ISBN:10: 0-06-052585-1
Warriors is about a former housecat named Fireheart, the deputy of Thunderclan. Since he became deputy, he knew that Tigerclaw, the former deputy who attempted to murder the clan leader, would seek revenge on the whole clan. After many doubts, it becomes clear to Fieheart that any chance of killing Tigerclaw has been shattered; Tigerclaw has become the leader of Shadowclan and has received nine lives! Fireheart no longer has the courage to fight him, due to the fact that their own leader, Bluestar, is dead. Will Fireheart put an end to Tigerclaw’s blood lust and save his clan from total destruction?
Erin Hunter gives amazing detail and description to so many characters in her on-going Warriors series. The special twists and turns in the plot keep me reading for hours at a time. I recommend this book to all cat lovers and people who love reading fantasy and adventure.
-Andrew
The Land of Elyon Book 1: The Dark Hills Divide
Patrick Carman
Orchard Books, 2005, 251pp. $9.95
ISBN 0-439-75843-2
Alexa Daley is spending yet another summer in Bridwell with her father. She looks forward to exploring the almost deserted town for a way to escape outside the wall that has been protecting their kingdom from evil that lurks outside in the Dark Hills. When she finally discovers a way outside the wall she boldly travels into the Dark Hills. But she soon discovers the terrible truth about the Land of Elyon and only she can stop the unraveling of unfortunate events. Armed with a new power and the help of her friends, she battles evil- before it is too late and the Land of Elyon is destroyed forever.
The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman is an adventure packed fantasy novel about a young girl, facing challenges she never thought she could. Throughout the entire book I new what each character was thinking because of Carman’s remarkable writing skills. I love this story and recommended it to anyone who loves reading about friendship, facing unpredictable challenges, and believing in you.
-ylime
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
J.K. Rowling
Scholastic Inc. Publishers 2005, pp. 652
ISBN- 0-439-78454-9
Reviewed by Emily
It is Harry Potters sixth year and times are as dangerous as ever. The darkest most evil wizard ever to set foot in the magical world, Lord Voldemort, has returned and things are even more mysterious.
Harry discovers that Draco Malfoy, an arch foe, needs something mended, and fast. Something two of a kind... or else. Harry suspects that Malfoy is up to no good, but can he prove it?
In other matters, Harry finds that his potions book is not like any other. The helpful tips in the margins and the new inventive spells no one has ever heard of were written by the Half-Blood Prince. But who was the Prince? His hints have certainly cause him to ‘show his talented skills’, but whoever it was must have been a genius.
Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, has been having private lessons with Harry throughout the school year. Searching through Voldemort’s past is very important if one day Harry is going to have to kill him, so the prophecy said. The question is, why didn’t Voldemort die that one night fifteen years ago when he killed Harry’s parents and tried to kill him, too? What was causing him to stay alive after the killing curse rebounded off of Harry, which gave Harry the scar he still shows on his forehead today?
I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, mystery, science fiction, and adventure. I also recommend the other six books in the series. J.K. Rowling uses great description and shows the feelings of characters in great detail. these books are great reads for teenagers.
The Schwa Was Here ISBN 0-525-47182-0
Neil Shusterman Pg. 228
“Here’s what we’re going to do, we are going to put him in a cat suit and an orange sombrero in the boy’s bathroom to see if anyone notices him”. This book is full of wacky schemes like this to try to earn some money. The Schwa is a twelve-year-old boy that is obstetrically challenged which means that he is almost invisible to the human naked eye unless you stare really hard at him. Anthony starts to make his own business with the Schwa and do all sorts of crazy dares that gets them into huge trouble by old man Crawley.
This book is full of hilarious sarcasm. I rate this book with a four and a half star rating and believe that anyone would love it.
Price-$15.99
Buttens children’s books
Reviewed by Alex Koster
The Titans Curse
Rick Riordan, Year 2006,
312 pages
$17.95
Reviewed by Alex Koster
The Titan’s Curse is a great book that has a lot of action. Percy, Annabeth, Thalia, and Zoë set on an epic adventure. They meet gruesome monsters including Dr. Thorn and the God of Curse. These two monsters are trying to stop them from destroying Kronos, a titan that the Gods had to destroy.
Percy is a halfblood, which means his father/mother had kids with a human. He is a great character that seems to point out the obvious.
I think this fantasy book is tremendous for all ages . I rate this
book a 10 because I think this book was awesome and a page turner all through out the book.
The Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan
Hyperion books for children, 2006, 279 pages.
$17.95, ISBN 078685686-6
Reviewed by, Alex Koster
The Sea of Monsters is a sequel of the Lightning Thief and a Prequel of the Titan’s Curse. He threw a leather pouch into our chariot. It stuck to the floor immediately and began billowing green smoke.
“Greek fire!” Annabeth yelled. Rick Riordan fuses mythology and real life situations to form an epic novel that has unsuspected twists and relevant action. Rick Riordan creates his novel using his great characters like Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson. Tyson is Percies Best friend in his new school but quickly expelled after a pack of gruesome ogres attack their school and figure out Tyson is immune to fire.
I rate this book a Chuck Norris for its great detail and amusing characters.
Fade
Robert Cormier
Random house children’s books, pg.310
$7.99, 0-385-73134-5
Reviewed by: Drake
What would you do if you were given the power to fade. Paul, a thirteen year old kid, is given the power to fade. “Fade”, Paul calls it but his nephew, Ozzie, calls it “going unseen”. Either ways, no one can see them; they cannot even see themselves.
Paul plays around with the “Fade”. He sees stuff that will scar him for life. But Ozzie goes from playing around to cold-blooded murder. He steals, breaks in to people’s houses, and worst of all, kills. Paul and Ozzie abuse their powers for there own personal gain.
I would recommend Fade to people who like fantasy and books dealing with mature situations. I was absorbed into the book as the pages seem to turn themselves. The author puts great detail into the book. The characters come to life as the narrator explains the story.
Among the free
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Simon & Schuster books for young readers, 2006,pg. 194
, 0-85798-5
Reviewed by: Drake
What would you do if were an illegal third child. In Luke’s world, it’s illegal to be a third child because of a food shortage. But he’s not alone in the world. There are more third children like Nina and Trey.
Children should never be hated for being third. But Luke, Nina, and Trey must deal with the population police, hunting them down. Their adventures take them everywhere.
I would recommend this book to people who love science fiction and a little bit of war. The book show what can happen if we get overpopulated. The author puts great detail in the stories of Luke and his friends. The Shadow Children series ends with the biggest change of their lives.
The Titan's Curse
Rick Riordan, year 2006, 312 pages
$17.95
Reviewed by: J.T.
“before anybody could react, the monster with Annabeth still on its back leaped off the cliff and tumbled into the darkness.”
In this compelling novel Riordan creates a sensational twist between human and, western culture/ civilization. When Percy follows Zoë on her quest to defeat the general they become in grave danger. They have to fight the evil manticore DR. Thorn many times over to save the western civilization.
If I were to rate this book I’d give it a CHUCK NORRIS!!!!!
The Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan ISBN#0439865999
$4.99 375 Pages
reviewed by: J.T.
“Then with an angry roar the monster closed its fists around my mothers neck, and she dissolved before my eyes melting into light, a shimmering golden form, as if she were a holographic projection. A blinding flash then she was simply… gone.”
When Percy Jackson is sent on a quest to recover the sky god Zues’ master bolt before the summer solstice or he will parish at the own hands of his uncle Zeus. To recover this bolt and stop all of western civilization from falling into ruin he most defeat Ares multiple times in combat. When Percy defeats Ares he must travel to Hades the underworld god, he will enter the layer, and search for the bolt. Will Percy Jackson complete his or will his uncle kill him and have the same fate as his mother.
If I were to rate this book I would rate it a CHUCK NORRIS (above 10)!
The Sea of Monsters 219 pages Hyperion books
Rick Riordan $17.95 copyright 2006
Reviewd by:J.T. ISBN: 142310334-
“Another fireball came streaking toward me. Tyson pushed me out of the way, but the explosion still blew head over heels.”
In this fantasy, Riordan creates a powerful bond between human nature and the powerful ancient Greek gods of Olympus. After finding out Percy’s brother, Tyson, is a Cyclops, Percy must take on a dangerous task to save camp Half-blood. Will Percy, and his brother Tyson complete their quest to return the “Golden Fleece” to camp or will they be condemned to the underworld ruler Hades for the rest of eternity.
I recommend this book to anyone who has a passion for violence, action, and bravery.
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<(*_*<)~Jeffrey Morton~(>*_*)>
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The Titans Curse
Rick Riordan
Hyperion Books, 2007, 314 pgs.
ISBN-10: 0-545-05704-3
Reviewed by Harrison
The book I reviewed is called The Titan’s Curse. The Titan’s Curse is about this kid named Percy Jackson. The Titan Lord Kronos is on the verge of a new war between the gods of Olympus and the Titans. Percy picks a fight at the end of the book with the Titan Lord Atlas and is almost finished off but he somehow survives.
This book is one of the best books of the year and the pages go by so fast you can’t catch them. I recommend this book to everyone. Especially for fantasy lovers.
I loved this book since I opened the first page.
DNANGEL
Yukiru Sugisaki
Tokyopop
1997
$8.99
144pgs.
ISBN 0-329-44339-9
Reviewed by Eyo
Did you ever want to be someone else or did someone you have a crush on ever shoot you down? Well, Diasuke did get rejected, and he became someone else when he turned fourteen: An infamous art thief named Dark. He finally finds out that his family was art thieves, and that he’ll keep transforming into Dark unless the person he loves gives love in return. But how can Diasuke win the heart of a girl he can’t even romance?
I think this graphic novel series is the best ever! I suggest people that like fantasy/romance should read every single volume of DNANGEL.